"Disabled people don’t owe strangers their medical history, and service dogs don’t need to fit someone else’s idea of what 'real' or 'right' looks like in order to be legitimate."
-Barbara Lloyd
Regarding service animals and ADA Laws, there are a lot of heated discussions. Sometimes people with no idea what a service dog is versus an ESA become watch-dogs at public venues (pun intended). Actual disabled individuals that have service dogs also weave some very interesting opinions. In my experience:
1. I've had strangers demand that I produce some sort of paperwork- to them!
2. Many so-called service dog advocates tell me there is
a. no certification
and
b. no registry.
My late brother-in-law Brad Scott was a trainer, and later a dean of admissions, at Leader Dogs for the Blind in Rochester, Michigan.
I'm pretty sure their dogs have health certificates as well as proof that they graduated from their classes. Not all service animals have them, but telling someone that certificates are indicators of fake dogs is WRONG.
b. no registry.
My late brother-in-law Brad Scott was a trainer, and later a dean of admissions, at Leader Dogs for the Blind in Rochester, Michigan.
I'm pretty sure their dogs have health certificates as well as proof that they graduated from their classes. Not all service animals have them, but telling someone that certificates are indicators of fake dogs is WRONG.
Some states do have voluntary registries. The state of Michigan has such a department, based in its capital, Lansing. There is no fee to apply. My own medical team signed affidavits for me to register. They would not put their careers on the line if I was a fake. Not all handlers want to register and they don't have to, but I sometimes stutter and panic when nosey knuckleheads literally follow me and badger me at my local mall. If they cause a scene and I fall over, I want my state issued card to do the talking for me. (I'm going to guess that Michigan's purpose in providing a card is our proximity to Canada.)
Recently, I actually got kicked out of a Facebook service dog group when I explained these facts because one of the administrators had a "favorite" top fan that was convinced he was the one that was right. My simple explanation, as stated above, offended him deeply. He went running and crying to the administrators and got his way, sadly.
So, to sum it up, let's not police each other. Let managers and restaurant owners do their jobs. All they are legally allowed to ask are two questions: "Is this your service animal?" and "Is it trained to mitigate your disability?" Managers are not allowed to ask what your disability is nor can they demand to see exactly what your dog does. They still are within the law to remove out of control dogs whether pets, ESAs or actual service animals.
Fact 1. Some dogs are certified but we are under NO obligation to show paperwork for our service dogs if we indeed have it.
Fact 2. Some states have volunteer registries and telling a handler they are fake for having a legitimate card is rude and insulting.
Recently, I actually got kicked out of a Facebook service dog group when I explained these facts because one of the administrators had a "favorite" top fan that was convinced he was the one that was right. My simple explanation, as stated above, offended him deeply. He went running and crying to the administrators and got his way, sadly.
So, to sum it up, let's not police each other. Let managers and restaurant owners do their jobs. All they are legally allowed to ask are two questions: "Is this your service animal?" and "Is it trained to mitigate your disability?" Managers are not allowed to ask what your disability is nor can they demand to see exactly what your dog does. They still are within the law to remove out of control dogs whether pets, ESAs or actual service animals.
Fact 1. Some dogs are certified but we are under NO obligation to show paperwork for our service dogs if we indeed have it.
Fact 2. Some states have volunteer registries and telling a handler they are fake for having a legitimate card is rude and insulting.
Fact 3. Service dogs can have gear, but they are not obligated to wear a halo, specialized collar or signage if it impedes their tasks (or if the handler chooses not to have their animal wear a vest). I think the only exception for choosing not use a harness is dogs that lead the blind. They have specific gear that the clients hold on to.
Fact 4. Retrievers, Labradors and Shepherds are not the only breeds used as service dogs. Great Danes may be used for stability, especially for larger individuals. Jack Russells are great for alerting the deaf. I myself use a collie-spaniel mix for my disabilities. The breeds are as varied as there are disabilities and needs.
One more note, not all service animals are required to be on task 24-7. My conditions get worse in the evenings. I usually leave Teddi home for that reason (daytime, shopping in well-lit stores, work, and so on). However, when I travel, I'm in different, sometimes unexpected, circumstances and must have her with me.
I hope these facts (and added opinions) as well as previous blog entries will help my readers understand a little more about service animals despite in-fighting amongst handlers, some of whom are learning the laws themselves. If you have any questions, please, refer to the link provided below. You may also share your thoughts in the comment section below this post.
I hope these facts (and added opinions) as well as previous blog entries will help my readers understand a little more about service animals despite in-fighting amongst handlers, some of whom are learning the laws themselves. If you have any questions, please, refer to the link provided below. You may also share your thoughts in the comment section below this post.
Thank you for reading and letting me share my blog with you.
Facts and Federal Law https://www.ada.gov/topics/service-animals/
An example of Michigan's volunteer registration card.
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